It is a truth universally acknowledged that tea is celebrated for its many health benefits and mystical healing powers. It does wonders for your heart and immune system and contains some anti-cancer properties. But like all things, too much of something can be a bad thing, particularly for pregnant women. Here’s why:

Tea Contains CaffeineYes, it’s true! Before panic ensues, it doesn’t contain as much as coffee. This however depends on the type of tea you drink and how much of it you drink. While herbal teas contain a mere 0.4 milligrams of caffeine per cup, non-herbal teas (black and even green tea) contain about 40-50 milligrams per cup. So before you think about brewing yourself a third cup of green tea for the day, be wary of how much caffeine you’re drinking for the two of you.

Solution: Besides drinking these teas sparingly, there’s also decaffeinated tea. If you can’t get a hold of them, do it yourself! Simply steep your tea in hot water for about 20-30 seconds, toss the water, and re-steep the tea. This will remove a majority (not all) of the caffeine.

High Concentration of HerbsAs you stay mindful of non-herbal teas, you should consider the ingredients in herbal teas as well. The high concentrations of herbs in certain teas can be harmful to women who are expecting and may affect odds of miscarriage, early labor, and dehydration. Some teas to avoid while pregnant are those with the herbs anise, black cohosh, catnip, comfrey, ephedra, licorice root, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage and yarrow.

Solution: Carefully read package labels and if you see any unsafe or unfamiliar ingredients, it’s best to stay away. Also ask your doctor about certain herbs you’re unsure of.

Again, drinking most teas is perfectly fine when done in moderation. Just be aware of what’s in your tea. After all, you’re drinking for two!